Michelle Kosilek, a convicted murderer and trans woman who was born Robert Kosilek, has fought to obtain treatment for her gender identity disorder since 2000. Although Kosilek has won a series of lawsuits to obtain hormones, psychotherapy, and laser hair removal, the state of Massachusetts is having an appeals hearing to push against a court ruling that she get gender reassignment surgery on the state's dime (via Yahoo News).

The Department of Corrections told the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston that the care already given to Kosilek was adequate under the guidelines of the 8th Amendment (the one banning cruel and unusual punishment) and pointed out that only five percent of those with gender identity disorder actually get sex reassignment surgery. It was also pointed out that Kosilek staying in the all-male prison after the surgery could put her in physical danger.

But Kosilek, who has attempted suicide twice while incarcerated, argues that the surgery is required in order to alleviate the deep emotional stress caused by the disorder.

Kosilek was convicted of killing her wife Cheryl in 1990 and was given a life sentence without parole.